‘Riverdale’ TV Series Updates: Barb of ‘Stranger Things’ Joins Cast for Dark Archie Comics Adaptation

‘Riverdale’ is set to feature Shannon Purser of ‘Stranger Things’ fame as Ethel Muggs in The CW’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the original Archie comic books. The show will be a darker and more serious take on the original published works.

According to io9’s Gizmodo, Purser is set to play Ethel Muggs in the upcoming teen drama televisions series based on the long-running comic books published by Archie Comic Publications, Inc. The actress played the fan-favorite Barb in season one of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’, a supernatural horror and science-fiction web television series created by Matt and Ross Duffer. She is set to appear in at least three episodes in the upcoming season.

In the original Archie comic books, Purser’s character Ethel was portrayed a tall and unattractive student of Riverdale High School with a massive infatuation with Archie’s best friend Jughead Jones. However, in the new series, she will be in a romantic relationship with someone else and will befriend Betty and Veronica as they plot for revenge against Archie’s rival Reggie, according to Dread Central.

The upcoming series was developed for The CW by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and is executive produced by Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, and Jon Goldwater. It is produced by Warner Brothers Studios and Berlanti Productions.

It will be a darker and more subversive take on the original wholesome comic book series that gained popularity in the 1990s. It follows Archie, Betty, Veronica, and friends as they explore the dark and strange behind their town Riverdale’s charming façade. It will also put focus on the iconic Archie-Betty-Veronica love triangle.

According to ComicBook.com, Sacasa shared a photograph on Twitter of the new cast upon their return for production for seasons two and three. It was captioned, "School is in session! Table read of 102 & 103 today! Deans list for all! @ArchieComics @CW_Riverdale #riverdale #S1.”

‘Riverdale’ is an upcoming teen drama television series scheduled to premiere during television’s 2016-2017 season. It stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Camila Mendez as Veronica Lodge, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Madeline Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Luke Perry as Fred Andrews, Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle, Daniel Yang as Dilton Doiley, Sarah Habel as Ms. Grundy, and Shannon Purser as Ethel Muggs.